Tendulkar backs split-innings trial

Sachin Tendulkar is convinced by Cricket Australia's (CA) move of introducing the split-innings format in the One Dayers and feels the players will enjoy the new format.

Talking to Times of India, Tendulkar said: "I am glad it's being tried out in Australia. I feel once the players have tried out this format, they will be in a better position to judge if the format works or not."

CA recently approved the controversial 45-over, split innings one-day format for trial in the National ODI Cup this season.

The new format includes 45 overs per team with split innings of 20 and 25 overs, a maximum of 12 overs by any one bowler and 10 wickets per team and 12 players per team (teams can bat any 11 of the 12 and field any 11 of the 12) among other changes.

Sachin Tendulkar had earlier proposed the split-innings method in September 2009 after the incident at the 2002 Champions Trophy final between India and Sri Lanka, where the match could not be concluded even after 110 overs of cricket played over two days, brought the idea to his mind.

"First, they played 50 overs and we played two overs before the rain interruption. The next day, Sri Lanka again played 50 overs and we played eight. In the end we were declared joint winners. 110 overs and still no result! That is when I thought we should have 25 overs first for one side and then the other. And then once again 25 overs for one side and then the other," Tendulkar said.

Sachin Tendulkar feels the split-innings format would bring about a balance as the playing surface would be equally available to both the sides through-out the duration of the game.

"We can tell the result of close to 75% of matches after the toss. We know how conditions will affect the two teams. But it (splitting the game into two innings) is not too dependent on the toss because, (if) it's a day-night match, then both the teams will have to bat under lights. And if it rains, you can plan for that too," Tendulkar said.